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1851, after the establishment of the General Register Office in
1839, was appropriate detailed data sought and correct analyses
made of Census figures. Since then, the Census form has become
progressively more comprehensive and consequently more valuable
as a statistical instrument.
More recently a move was made to initiate 5 year Census periods
when, on the night of 24/25th April, 1966, a 10% sample of the
population was taken during which, for the first time ever, information regarding cars and garaging facilities was requested.
Population
General—Determinations of future populations are of vital
importance to governments for the framing of social policies, to
hospitals for the provision of adequate and suitable facilities, to
local authorities who have a duty to plan maternity and child
welfare services, nurseries, schools, housing, etc., and to the Medical
Officer of Health who needs to know and to gauge the effect of
these variables upon the health of the public, generally.
Population levels are dependent on three factors, viz. births,
deaths and migration and the extent to which reliance may be
placed on projected populations rests upon the accuracy with
which these separate factors can be forecast. It is usual, indeed it is
the best method available, to base future trends on past experiences (extrapolation) and with death rates this has seldom failed.
Birth rates, however, have proved to be rather less reliable and
migration, especially since the introduction of the Commonwealth
Immigrants Act, 1962, is the most difficult to assess.
All signs point to the possibility that, by the end of this century,
the world's population will have doubled to 7,000 millions.
To the majority of people such a bald statement is virtually
meaningless and the inherent implications difficult to visualise.
Comprehension is made easier if we say that with the passing of
every second of every day 4 births and 2 deaths occur which result
in 170,000 extra mouths to feed every 24 hours.
Understandably, the bulk of this increase arises in the underdeveloped countries but, as a nation, we are adding our quota,
albeit more slowly, to the sum total. Clearly we need to be
increasingly concerned with the relationship of population to the
"carrying" capacity of the country; failure to achieve balance with
our environment will prove disastrous.
Estimated mid-year population of England and Wales at
48,826,800 indicates an increase of 233,800 (0.5%) over last year.